Winter is back with a flurry
WINTER will roar in today, bringing bitter Arctic gales and up to four inches of snow in parts.
Temperatures were set to plummet last night, with harsh frosts across the country this morning.
Swathes of the UK are braced for heavy rain, 55mph winds, sleet and snow over the coming days.
Scotland and the North face the heaviest downpours, but wintry showers could fall as far south as London, forecasters say.
While snow fell across northern England on Boxing Day, the cold will come as a shock to many after a balmy Christmas Day which saw highs of 55F in Cornwall.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “A low-pressure system will pass over Britain late on Boxing Day and into Wednesday which could have a bit of a sting in the tail.
“Through Wednesday morning gales could reach 55mph in exposed spots with heavy rain with wintry showers which could reach southern regions.
“There is the potential for 10cm [4in] over high ground in the North as we revert to a northerly airflow, making it feel much colder.”
The Met Office last night extended severe weather warnings for rain, snow and ice.
An alert for ice is in place in Scotland and down the east coast of England until late morning.
Snow and rain warnings have been issued across the Midlands, eastern England, London and the South-east, the South-west, the North-west and Yorkshire.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: “A weather system moving east across southern England and Wales will bring a mixture of heavy rain and snow.
“Through the night, it is likely to turn to snow in places, initially over higher ground in Wales and perhaps the Peak District, then central and eventually southern England on Wednesday morning.” Britons will wake to another freezing day tomorrow.
The run-up to New Year will be cold, wet and windy before stormier conditions sweep in.
Mr Petagna said: “The trend as we head towards the weekend is for things to turn more unsettled.
“Temperatures will also start to lift again as we get more of an Atlantic influence.”
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden added: “Despite some brief milder spells at times, an exceptionally cold and snowy January looks like a cert on our current indications.”